Ex-lacrosse players can pursue lawsuit against Nifong (Can't use bankruptcy to hide)

Raleigh News & Observer ^ | May 27, 2008 | Anne Blythe

[abb]

DURHAM — Former District Attorney Mike Nifong will not be able to hide from a lawsuit in bankruptcy court, a federal judge ruled today.

The three exonerated lacrosse players who filed suit against the fallen prosecutor in October will be able to pursue their claims in federal civil court, Judge William L. Stocks ruled.

The ruling came more than a month after lawyers representing the players and Nifong presented their arguments in court.

Nifong was stripped of his law license and ousted from office last summer for his misconduct in the Duke lacrosse case.

Nifong was supposed to file a response to the players’ claims of malicious prosecution by Jan. 15. Instead, he filed for bankruptcy protection, listing potential debts of more than $180 million.

In late January, federal Judge James A. Beaty ordered that Nifong be dropped from the suit brought by Dave Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann, the three former Duke lacrosse players. The players fought phony gang-rape allegations for 13 months before the state attorney general declared them innocent of the charges against them.

Filing for bankruptcy puts any civil claims on hold while a bankruptcy judge sorts out the claims against the debtor.

Stocks said in his filing today that the bankruptcy court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the bulk of the players’ claims against Nifong.

In their lawsuit, the players allege that Nifong, the city of Durham, the DNA laboratory hired by Nifong and others associated with the case conspired to falsely charge them with gang-rape even though they knew that the allegations were “a total fabrication.”

anne.blythe@newsobserver.com or (919) 932-8471

[abb]

This just in.

[abb]

ping

[elcid1970]

BURN his ASS!

):^(

[IMissPresidentReagan]

Good! This case is the perfect example of an overzealous prosecutor abusing his powers of discretion.

[doodad]

I would hound the young “lady” until the end of her days as well. Garnish her welfare.

[rsobin]

Combined with PC.

[SeanOGuano]

Has Nancy Grace ever admitted that she was wrong on this?

[Lazamataz]

There is a song by Filter called "Hey Man Nice Shot". It's about the January 22, 1987, public suicide of Pennsylvania state treasurer Budd Dwyer, who shot himself during a press conference with a .357 magnum.

So all I would say to Mr. Nifong is this: "Hey man. Nice shot."

[heywoodubuzzoff]

The players should just tell Durham that they will take 10% of their tax and grants revenue for the rest of their lives. It will be cheaper for the city in the long run.

[abb]

Has Nancy Grace ever admitted that she was wrong on this?

No.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Nail the gang of teachers and administrators who condemned the innocents as well. Rip their tenure out from their worthless asses.

[Sacajaweau]

The guy belongs in jail. This was discrimination at its’ worst.

[darkangel82]

She never admits she was wrong, and she’s wrong about 90% of the time.

[Ron Jeremy]

he should be in jail.

[imahawk]

Hey Nifong, You are screwed for the rest of your pathetic little life.These players should run him into the ground and use this as a way to send the message about wrongful prosecution.Somebody from a less than well to do family may not be so lucky.Lets face it these guys were put through the ringer and but for the wealth their families have could have gone to jail for a long,long time.

[Mr. K]

very rarely do I root for a huge lawsuit but in this case I hope they WIN BIG TIME

[Mr. K]

didn’t the “lady” who made the allegations recently get a college degree (funded by Jesse Jackson?) SUE HIM AS WELL

[sirchtruth]

I would hound the young “lady” until the end of her days as well. Garnish her welfare.

I'm only guessing they wouldn't persue anything civil or criminal action against her because they feel she is incompetent, for the lack of a better term.

The city of Durham, Duke University, the DBM, ought to pay for these kids lives and lifestyles for the rest of they're existance!

Remember, it wasn't just Nifong that persued these charges others knew these kids were innocent.

[mdmathis6]

They’ll be able to sue for certain Durham citizens’ reparations money that will be available when Obama enacts reparations into being!

[abb]

Yes, from NCCU in Durham. Jackson did not pay, to my knowledge even though he said he would.

[windcliff]

Good news.

[doodad]

I'm only guessing they wouldn't persue anything civil or criminal action against her because they feel she is incompetent, for the lack of a better term.

Then probation to keep her on the straight, considering her lying under oath, false statements, etc.

[buccaneer81]

didn’t the “lady” who made the allegations recently get a college degree (funded by Jesse Jackson?) SUE HIM AS WELL

Her degree is in (I kid you not) Criminal Psychology.

[buck jarret]

Only humans can be right or wrong.

[buck jarret]

I mean, Nancy Grace is a robot. Hasn’t her network patented her?

[TomGuy]

O
what a tangled web we weave,
when first we practice
to deceive.

Nifong's attempts at deception will cost him dearly.

[Go, guys! Sue him for every thing you can get out of him! Make his life as much of a hell as he made yours. Don't relent.]

[abb]

Link to court docs.

http://www.wral.com/asset/news/local/2008/02/19/2457911/nifong.swf

[Taffini]

nancy grace had them hung before all the evidence was in

her pat answer was: “do you have a daughter?” when anyone said they maybe innocent....that did it for me, bye nancy.

[Eddie01]

What if Nifong turns?

[toldyou]

....”Nifong will not be able to hide from a lawsuit in bankruptcy court, a federal judge ruled today.”

hee-hee

[parthian shot]

Some real justice at last!!!! HOORAY

[Sue Perkick]

Good! Hope they annihilate that piece of ****.

[Sue Perkick]

LOL

[fr_freak]

Some real justice at last!!!! HOORAY

I disagree. This is just a little crumb of justice. Real justice would have Nifong behind bars.

[abb]

It’s coming.

[Chode]

and Nifong, takes another one in the..................HA ha!!!

[hunter112]

What if Nifong turns?

Turns what, gay? I won't be satisfied until I hear reports of him being brutalized in prison. That's what he would have done to the lacrosse players in order to just win a freaking election.

[rwilson99]

Looks like the next time the Lacrosse team throws a party they will be coming out to the former prosecutors home.

[Tigercap]

GOOD!!!! Make an example of him. Then, the Gang of “Educators” at Duke. Then, Nancy Grace.

[nomorelurker]

Many, many months ago there was a story about the mother (or maybe the father) of one of the players standing on the courthouse steps saying Nifong you don't who you just picked a fight with.

[Sue Perkick]

This news has made my day! I hope that low down good for nothing rotten trifling sorry excuse for a human being gets what he deserves.

Thanks abb for posting this! Hours later I’m still dancin’ :-)

[FreedomPoster]

>>Has Nancy Grace ever admitted that she was wrong on this?

I don’t think so, and the Daily Show segment about that is still hilarious.

Jon Stewert - College Lacross Report featuring Nancy Grace
http://tinyurl.com/292j4g

[printhead]

This reminds me of Henry “Nostrilitis” Waxman asking “What would Admiral Boorda do?”.

[toldyou]

LOL!

[toldyou]

That Jon Stewart report on Nancy Disgrace was hilarious!

[toldyou]

“Looks like the next time the Lacrosse team throws a party they will be coming out to the former prosecutors home.”

Do ya think he’ll have one?

[imahawk]

I remember that.She was less than pleased with nifong to say the least would’nt you say?

[ltc8k6]

Thanks, abb!

[parthian shot]

It’s not over yet....I was just stating that at least Nifong will not be able to run from the injustice that he brought on the students.

[Tigercap]

That was fantastic. Should be played over and over again.